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Howard's Saulny Fired After Investigation

Kirk Saulny was fired Friday as men's basketball coach at Howard after an investigation determined he had broken NCAA and school rules.

Robert Frelow, a university spokesman, said two assistants also were fired. The school's Web site lists Darryl Bruce and Lamont Franklin as assistants on Saulny's staff. According to a university statement, two players also were declared ineligible for the spring semester.

The Washington Post reported today that the players are junior forward Donte Lincoln from Los Angeles Trade Tech and sophomore forward Darren Kennedy. The newspaper says that among the allegations are one that Lincoln's transcript had been altered.

Saulny was 0-9 in his second season after going 2-25 last season.

"We cannot and will not tolerate any conduct inconsistent with the NCAA bylaws and our own Code of Ethics and Conduct," Raymond Archer, Howard's vice president of student affairs, said in a written statement.

Frelow said there would be no comment on findings of the investigation until they were reviewed by the NCAA.

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Xavier sophomore forward Aaron Turner was reinstated from a Dec. 18 suspension that was the result of academic deficiencies, Athletic Director Mike Bobinski said. . . . Rutgers asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed against basketball Coach Kevin Bannon over a nude practice. Former players Earl Johnson and Josh Sankes and former team manager Juan Pla sued Bannon and the university on Nov. 30 for violating their civil rights during a Dec. 27, 1997, shooting contest in which clothing was removed for every miss. Johnson, Sankes, Pla and team manager Bobby O'Connor wound up running sprints in the nude after the contest. According to legal documents, Bannon said Johnson intentionally missed free throws so he would run nude. And two assistant coaches say Johnson's father threatened to go public about the contest if his son didn't receive more playing time.